Swiss unemployment linked to language and passport

The overall rate of Swiss unemployment climbed from 3.4% to 3.5% in January 2015 although it was steady when compared to the same time last year.

There are however marked differences in rates of unemployment on a number of dimensions.

The rate varies significantly by Canton. Neuchatel and Valais tied for the top spot at 5.8% while the canton of Obwald took the prize for the lowest rate of 0.9%. Geneva had 5.5%, Vaud 5.2% while Zurich sat in the middle at 3.5%. In addition foreigners were harder hit than Swiss at 7.0% versus 2.4%.

On the face of it the best strategy for avoiding the job queues appears to be to stay away from French speakers and avoid being foreign. But then the same logic could be used to convince people to stay away from the mortal dangers of playing lawn bowls, a sport popular with many heart-attack-prone older folk.